When I woke up on Saturday, my voice sounded like the frog I’d swallowed had hitherto swallowed a subaru. It was evident that I would not be singing along that night, but I wasn’t gonna let that dampen my spirits.
Press passes sorted, cab fare in tow, I left for Carnivore because the biggest concert in town was about to go down! It was starting to get chilly, but I for one had resolved to brave rain and hailstones if they should come, it was gonna be a great night! Of course by the time I was getting to Carnivore my voice was as raspy as gravel sounds when it wants to whisper!
Six O’clock saw us ushered in to the Simba Saloon, my first time there, and guess what greets me and Fotgeric’s Eric Saganda, the powerful voice of Atemi wrapping up her final dress rehearsal before the show! If i’d have gone home after that, my heart woulda stilll been content. Si this woman can belt! She just stands on stage, and lets it out ala Whitney Houston. I am not paying her blind loyalty, Atemi can bring it like any diva worth her salt.
The concert was delayed, I’m guessing due to to technical hitches and glitches, but the crowd which started sauntering at around seven thirty was forgiving. As I said in this article, we were waiting for this gig with bated breath, we expected fireworks and nothing else would suffice. It was finally time to be enthralled, more pictures here.
First on stage backed by his awesome band was Anto-Neosoul. His performance was shortlived, but he did stamp an indelible mark on the audience. He got the audience singing, thats a major feat when you’re the ‘ice breaker’ of the evening. This mature crowd is not easy to please, but they warmed up to him, save for a few gentlemen who looked pertubed that the ladies were hanging on to his every word.
After Anto, came the man the ladies were deliriously screaming for, Praiz Adejo. By the way people need to stop blaming me, for fueling the rumour that he and Atemi are an item! Calling him Atemi’s new man here was tongue-in-cheek, plus hey, if those screams were anything to go by, may be Atemi should make Praiz her man!
So Praiz decided that to announce himself into Nairobi’s atmosphere, he’d do a mellow piano rendition of his song. The room went from Anto-neo soul energetic, to Praiz calm in two seconds max. He crooned into that microphone as he carressed the keys on the keyboard, the ladies behind me were oowing and aahing in unison. It was a sight to behold.
Praiz wasn’t done! He decided that for the rest of the evening, he would seranade every lady that tickled his fancy in the audience. He even picked up my friend Rachel, put her on stage and ‘wooed’ her with a very beautiful rendition of I love you. Her date for the evening, was of course the butt of many jokes during that whole performance.
Redemption song, that stupid song which he did with Bez, the John Legend-esque rich and famous, all showcased his vocals in a very no holds barred manner. His bgv whose name I didn’t manage to get even got Somoina Kimojino of Capital Fm to get on stage with what looked like twelve inch heels and boogie! Azonto!
Of-course the moment we were all waiting for, was ushered in resplendence when Atemi stepped on to the stage. A pungent air of expectation inundated the whole room, an almost eerie silence followed soon after. That, was pierced by her powerful dulcet tones as she sang “so now we raise..”, a powerful prayer. Her overflowing strapless African print dress, revealed and covered with unbridled elegance, and her yellow accesories did a wonderful job in giving her the look of an African queen.
Backed by Benjamin Webi who is undoubtedly one of the best male vocalists in Nairobi, Atemi sang us to bliss unrestrained. Her powerful rendition of Beyonce’s love on top belted in full voice showcased her vocal range, which I believe soars sky high to the fourth octave! Hitting a c6 so effortlessly, with no falsetto or embellishment is best left to operatic sopranos, and the Beyonces and Mariahs of this world. Add this lady to that list.
I loved the dialogue she would have with the audience every so often, painted colourfully with humour and a tinge of veiled sarcasm. The crowd would intermittently scream Tim Rimbui’s name, and she she would stop and ask, “you think this is a Tim and Ma3 concert? Did he pay you to come and scream his name?.. ” Very hilarious lady this one.
The band, the very very awesome band consisted of guitarists Asaph Uzele and Kato Change, drummer Brian Omondi, violinist Aaron Colverson, and on keys Tim and Aaron Rimbui. The best surprise of the night was ofcourse Eric Wainaina, who did a fantastic job singing imenibamba with Atemi. And thus Manzili state of life was birthed.
The venue was Carnivore’s Simba Saloon, and I must say it was an apt location! The most memorable moment, was when Atemi sang happy birthday to Mumbi Kaigwa. The tear jerking moment followed after, when she asked Webi the backup vocalist, to sing Mumbi happy birthday because ladies love it when men seranade them. Who needs cake right?
Manzili is on sale now. The event was sponsored by Absolut Vodka, Pine Creek Records owned by Resolution Health’s Peter Nduati and Taurus Musik.
Well kagwe himself being an artist, checked himself into the booth and this is the result. He did a cover of Oleku originally done by Ice Prince and Brymo. The video was directed by Miagi Films, Lavern Rutivi and edited by Arnold Omodho. The director of Kagwe Mungai Music described the video this way, “the theme is laid back, and set in a photo-shoot type scene.”
